Ankara Press, new romance imprint from Cassava Republic Press

Ankara Press is a fresh new voice publishing romantic fiction for the African market, and is devoted to publishing easy-to-read novellas with African settings, storylines and characters. The Ankara Press imprint launches today with six new titles, set in locations as diverse as Lagos, Jos, Cape Town and the Obudu Mountain Resort in Cross Rivers state. A Tailor-made Romance, Black Sparkle Romance, A Taste of Love, Love’s Persuasion, Finding Love Again and Elevator Kiss comprise the first six titles in the series. The romances will be published initially as e-books, and easily downloadable to mobile devices.

“We are thrilled to be launching the first titles in our Ankara Press list,” said publisher Bibi Bakare-Yusuf. “The six authors – Oyindamola Affinnih, Sifa Asani Gowon, Amara Nicole Okolo, Amina Thula, Chioma Iwunze-Ibiam and Ola Awonubi – are rising stars, and a great deal of work has gone into making sure that these sizzling stories will appeal to the modern African woman.”

“The mission is to project the image of a confident, stylish, ambitious and cosmopolitan African woman. Part of that projection is reflected in the company’s name, Ankara, which evokes both a sense of timeless tradition and stylish modernity.”

Bakare-Yusuf founded Ankara Press with the aim of publishing ‘a new kind of romance’. She said she wished to ‘challenge romance stereotypes and empower women to love themselves in their search for love, romance and wholesome sex.’

Ankara Press is currently seeking authors for their next batch of romances, to be published in 2015. They are looking for strong, original writers who can tell fast-paced and engaging stories and who will allow African women to see the best version of themselves in print.

All six titles will be available from 15th December 2014 at www.ankarapress.com at a special introductory offer price of N500.